Detachable trash box and trailer

ABSTRACT

A trailer for lifting and transporting a container comprises a frame having a hitch and supported on an axle on which a pair of wheels is mounted for rotation. A support arrangement is mounted on the axle for a tilting movement between an engaging position and a lifted position, and comprises two supports, each of the supports being provided with a bifurcated end portion adapted to engage projecting portions of the container. A winch is mounted on the frame and a line provided with a hook at its free end is attached to the winch; the hook is selectively attached to the support for moving the latter between the engaging and the lifted positions thereof whereby to lift the container, to the side of the container which faces the winch for holding the support arrangement and the container in their lifted positions, and to the side of the container facing away from the winch for tilting the container about the support arrangement in its lifted position for discharging the contents of the container.

United States Patent [191 Alcanzare June 24, 1975 1 DETACHABLE TRASH BOX AND TRAILER Eduardo V. Alcanzare, 27 San Miguel St., Kapitolyo, Pasig, Rizal, Philippines 22 Filed: Nov. 23, 1973 211 App1.No.:418,775

Related us. Application Data [63] Continuation of Ser. No. 321,919, Jan. 5, 1973,

abandoned.

[76] Inventor:

[30] Foreign Application Priority Data Jan. 6, 1972 Philippines 13160 [52] US. Cl. 214/318; 214/313; 214/390 [51] Int. Cl. B65g 65/04 [58] Field of Search 214/390, 77 P, 77 R, 130 R, 214/130 A, 130 B, 130 C, 313, 317, 318

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 337,870 3/1886 Roberts 214/384 3,142,397 7/1964 Felts 214/318 3,722,720 3/1973 Sjostrom et a1 214/317 Primary ExaminerRobert J Spar Assistant Examiner-Lawrence J. Oresky Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Michael S. Striker [5 7] ABSTRACT A trailer for lifting and transporting a container comprises a frame having a hitch and supported on an axle on which a pair of wheels is mounted for rotation. A support arrangement is mounted on the axle for a tilting movement between an engaging position and a lifted position, and comprises two supports, each of the supports being provided with a bifurcated end portion adapted to engage projecting portions of the container. A winch is mounted on the frame and a line provided with a hook at its free end is attached to the winch; the hook is selectively attached to the support for moving the latter between the engaging and the lifted positions thereof whereby to lift the container, to the side of the container which faces the winch for holding the support arrangement and the container in their lifted positions, and to the side of the container facing away-from the winch for tilting the container about the support arrangement in its lifted position for discharging the contents of the container.

12 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures PATENTEI] JUN 2 4 I975 SHEET 1 DETACI-IABLE TRASH BOX AND TRAILER This is a continuation, of application Ser. No. 321,919 filed Jan. 5, 1973, now abandoned.

This invention relates generally to trash containers or receptacles and more particularly to a trash box detachable from its corresponding trailer.

It is well-known that untolerable bulks of garbage remain uncollected apparently because of the limited number of equipment available as well as the necessary manpower. This uncollected garbage affects not only the appearance of the locality but, more important, imperils the health of the community.

In connection with the garbage collection problem the authorities concerned find excuse in unavailability of funds to acquire garbage trucks and to hire thepersonnel sufficient to collect the enormous and everincreasing amount of garbage. With the present economic situation, it is indeed difficult to purchase costly dump trucks and to hire personnel for the operation which requires at least three persons for every unit.

The foregoing problems, aside from the monetary obstacles, can be easily avoided by using the device according to my present invention, which can be acquired at a nominal cost, yet, promises to be a more convenient equipment. Spading forks, shovels and the like are no longer necessary in loading refuse into dump trucks, since a detachable trash box is provided and deployed in individual pick-up sites so as to be readily available, and are transported to dumping sites by corresponding trailersattached to conventional vehicles.

In the entirety of its operation, the driver himself could accomplish the whole work solely by virtue of the simplicity of the design. The operating mechanism provided therein can be manually operated by persons not necessarily skilled in the particular line. Further, maintenance of the unit will not be a problem since my invention includes simple moving parts comprising in combination a pair of conventional wheels, support means mounted on an axle and a conventional winch and line for towing the trash box.

Other forms of trailer might have similar means for pivoting or towing trash containers but has the main drawback of not providing mechanical means to dump contents or refuse from said trash containers. In this connection, I believe that with the provision of a novel engagement means, wherein the present trash containeris pivotally engaged thereto, the dumping of the refuse willbe facilitated. Asa consequence, my invention is far more advantageous than the prior art.

his to be noted that although my invention pertains to an equipment for garbage disposal, its utility value should not be limited to that particular purpose, since it could also be utilized in other fields of operation such as that in towing and transporting cable spools and the like. In short, my invention provides not only a novel trailer for towing and transporting refuse containers, but in general a multi-purpose towing equipment.

It is therefore the principal object of my present invention to provide a novel detachable trash box and trailer which may be attached to conventional vehicles.

Another object is to provide a detachable trash box with connecting means, a trailer with support means mounted on an axle means to lift and transport said detachable trash box.

Still another object is to provide a detachable trash box with connecting means whereby said trash box pivots freely about said support means of said trailer wherein said support means is mounted on an axle means.

Further object is to provide a low cost but very convenient detachable trash box and trailer wherein lifting, transporting and dumping of refuse could be accomplished handily and conveniently.

Still further object is to provide a trailer with means for pivoting said engagement means to lift, transport and unload other than refuse containers.

Other objects and advantages of my invention will be clearly understood from the following detailed description of its preferred embodiments being illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary perspective and exploded view of my invention wherein the various parts of the trailer and the external and internal parts of the detachable trash box are shown,

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of a novel support means,

FIG. 3 illustrates section at A-A of FIG. 1 showing the equipment either during loading or unloading operation wherein detachable trash box is engaged with its corresponding trailer.

FIG. 4 shows said trash box having been lifted and ready for transport, i

FIG. 5 illustrates the detachable trash box still mounted on subject trailer in a position preparatory for unloading or dumping,

FIG. 6 shows detachable trash box having been tilted for dumping operation.

My invention will now be described in detail with reference to FIG. 1,- wherein the detachable trash box or similar container and the trailer have been partially fragmented and partially. exploded for illustration, and wherein the detachable trash box is in alifted position with a partially cut-out wall 1. The trash box which may be made of wood or metal is provided with a swingable top cover 5a hingedly connected inwardly on a fixed cover 5. The upper portions of two side walls are provided with centrally oppositely aligned openings 4 and a bar 2 passes through the openings 4. The bar 2 is provided with flanges 3 and its opposite ends to prevent the bar 2 from slipping out of the openings 4. The rear and front portions of the trash box are provided with connecting-eyes 8 and 8a (only the rear one shown), the function of which will be described later. To remove water or'other liquids that might be introduced into the container, the bottom of the trash box is provided with a series of perforations 29, thereby providing draining means. It is to be pointed out that the detachable trash box just described may not be of the form shown, since the design. would be varied to acquire a container of maximum capacity.

The detachable trash box just described is adapted to be lifted, transported and unloaded by a trailer comprising in combination the following main parts:

A pair of conventional wheels with corresponding wheel assembly 16 rotatably mounted in a conventional manner at opposite ends of a horizontally disposed axle means 15. Still referring to FIG. 1, two parallel spaced supports generally indicated at 9 (in vertical position as shown) are rigidly mounted on an axle 15. The distance between the supports 9 is such that the trash box may be accommodated between and allowed to swing freely with respect to the supports 9. Each support 9 includes a bifurcated portion 10; having centrally oppositely aligned bores accommodating a pin 10a, pically supported in a plunger casing 12 accommodating a coiled spring 12a. Each plunger casing 12 includes an outer bracket 13 and a base 14 serving as mounting and rigidly connected to the axle means 15.

Forwardly extending tilting members 16a and 16b are rigidly mounted at regular relationship toplunger casing 12 It is clearly shown in the drawings that the tilting members 16b is to the respective plunger casing 12 slightly above the lower end thereof. The free ends of the tilting members 16a and 16b are linked by a transversely mounted connecting bar 17 having a centrally mounted stopping elements 170 for a hook 18 of a line 19. One end of the line 19 is fixedly secured to a conventional winch 20, having stopping member 20a, handle 20b and a supporting flat base 200 affixed to members 24 and 24a by a plurality of bolts 21 and nuts 22. The member 24 is provided with a centrally located downwardly extending flange having an opening for a roller 23 guiding the line 19. The members 24 and 24a .are attached to a stationary frame 25 having a free end which is provided with a trailer hitch 27-. The ends of said stationary frame 25 which are spaced from said free end are pivotally attached to a flange means 26 extending perpendicularly to the plungerv casing 12 and against the top dead end of the lower portion of the plunger casing 12. The circularly shaped flange rests on a coiled spring 12a which provides cushion effect when the detachable trash box is supported on the trailer.

Referring now to FIGS. 3-6, the trash box and trailer illustrated in FIG. l'will be described in operation.

It is now assumed that present detachable trash box is filled with refuse and ready for transport to the dumping site. FIG; 3 shows the side elevational view of the trailer and of the detachable trash box having a base 30. Although not shown, it is to be understood that the trailer is connected to the rear of the hauling vehicle by 'meansof the hitch 27. It is pointed out that initially, 'i.e., when trailer is not carrying a refuse container,'the support 9 may'e'xtendeither substantially upwardly (see FIG. 1) or horizontally, (refer to FIG.

' When the trash box is to be lifted,- the supports 9 are horizontally aligned with the transversely extending bar 2, and the trailer is moved towards the trash box until the bar 2 enters the bifurcatedportion of the support 9. The detachable pin 10a (see FIG. 1) may then be inserted into the oppositely alignedbores provided in the respective bifurcated portion 10 to prevent disengagement of the bar 2 from the bifurcated portion 10. Also the flanges 3 on oppositeends of the bar 2 prevent the latter from slipping sidewardly, so that detachable trash box is tiltably mounted on the supports 9.

Then the winch is operated to increase the tension in the line 19 which results in pivoting of the supports 9 about the wheels 16 so as to lift the trash box into transporting position shown in FIG. 4. The present trash box is provided with oppositely aligned openings 4 accommodating the bar 2 with a certain degree of freedom so that, during lifting operation, while the supports 9 pivot about the wheels 16, the trash box freely tilts about the bar 2. After the trash box has been lifted into the transporting position, the hook 18 of the line 19 is attached to the connecting eye 8 mounted forwardly on the trash box to prevent the latter and the supports 9 from pivoting back, and to simultaneously maintain stability of the trash box during transport.

Upon reaching the dumping site, the hook 19 is removed from the frontal connecting eye 8 and transferred to the oppositely mounted connecting eye 80 on the rear of the trash box with winch line 19 passing underneath the trash box. Although not shown in the figures it is recommended that the trailer be provided with a locking member for securing the container supports in their upright positions.'The locking member is preferably attached to the stationary frame means 25 to secure the tilting means 16a and 16b, thereby preventing the supports 9 and the trash container from pivoting back to the lifting position when the hook 18 is removed from the frontal connecting eye 8 in preparation for dumping operation as shown in FIG. 5.

After the connection described has been made, as shown in FIG. 5, winch 20 is then operated to increase the tension in the line 19 thereby causing the trash box to pivot about the bar 2 and the supports 9 with attendant dumping of the contents of the trash box. I Although my invention has been described in considerable detail, it is to be understood that such description has been given particularly by way of illustration and not by way of limitation as my invention is capable of many variations and modificationswithin the scope of my present invention. It is also pointed out that the conventional winch for pivoting the supports so as to lift the detachable trash box could also be electrically operated.= All such variations and modifications are to be included within the scope of my invention.

I claim:

1. A trailer for lifting and transporting a container comprising, in combination, an axle; wheel means mounted on said axle for rotation; frame means attached to said axle and having a trailer hitch; support means mounted on said axle so as to be displaceable between an engaging position and a lifted position and operative for tiltably engaging the container and lifting the same; and single means for moving said support means between said engaging and said lifted positions thereof whereby to lift the container, for holding said support means and the container in said position, and for tilting the container into a dumping position thereof with said support means being in said lifted position whereby to discharge the contents of the container, said single means further being connectable to the container at two distinct locations, one of said distinct locations being used for said holding and the other being used for said dumping, and said single means further being connectable to said support means for said lifting.

2. A trailer as defined in claim 1, wherein said support means comprises two mutually spaced supports mounted on said axle between said wheel means.

3. A trailer as defined in claim 2, wherein each of the supports comprises a plunger telescopically supported in a plunger casing, and biasing means resiliently urging said plunger into its telescopically extended position.

4. A trailer as defined in claim 3, wherein said biasing means is a spring.

5. A trailer as defined in claim 2, wherein each of said supports is provided with a bifurcated end portion operative for engaging the container.

6. A trailer as defined in claim 1, wherein said single means comprises a winch attached to said frame in the region of said hitch and a line connected to said winch; and wherein said line is selectively attachable to said support means for moving the same between said engaging and said lifted position thereof, to a container which is engaged by said support means at a surface of the container which faces toward said winch for holding said support means in its lifted position, and to such container at another surface which faces away from said winch for tilting the container and discharging the contents of the same. 12

7. A trailer as defined in claim 1, wherein said support means comprises two mutually spaced supports mounted on said axle between said wheel means, each of said supports comprising a plunger, a plunger casing, a spring acting on said plunger and said plunger casing so as to urge said plunger into its telescopically extended position, and a bifurcated end portion on said plunger operative for engaging the container; and wherein said single means comprises a winch attached to said frame in the region of said hitch and a line connected to said winch, said line being selectively attachable to said support means for moving the same between said engaging and said lifted position thereof, to the container which is engaged by said support means at a surface of the container which faces toward said winch for holding said support means in its lifted position, and to such container at another surface which faces away from said winch for tilting the container and discharging the contents of the same.

8. In a transporting system, a combination comprising the trailer as defined in claim 1, and a container having a bottom, a front wall, a rear wall, two lateral walls and a cover, wherein said container is provided on its lateral walls with mutually aligned projecting portions and wherein said support means engage said projecting portions so as to permit the latter to tilt about their common axis whereby the container is permitted to tilt with respect to said support means.

9. A combination as defined inclaim 8, wherein said lateral walls are each provided with one opening, said openings having a common axis; and further comprising a bar accommodated in said openings and having said projecting portions.

10. A combination as defined in claim 8, wherein said front wall and said rear wall are each provided with a connecting eye, and wherein said single means comprises a winch attached to said frame in the region of said hitch and a line connected to said winch and provided with a hook at its free end, said hook being selectively attachable to one of said eyes.

11. A combination as defined in claim 8, wherein said cover comprises a portion adjacent said rear wall and hingedly connected to said lateral walls substantially midway and in the upper region thereof; and wherein said portion of the cover is adapted to disengage from said rear wall and said lateral walls when the container is tilted so as to discharge the contents thereof.

12. A combination as defined in claim 8, wherein the bottom of the container is provided with perforations connecting the interior of the container with the extel'lOl'. 

1. A trailer for lifting and transporting a container comprising, in combination, an axle; wheel means mounted on said axle for rotation; frame means attached to said axle and having a trailer hitch; support means mounted on said axle so as to be displaceable between an engaging position and a lifted position and operative for tiltably engaging the container and lifting the same; and single means for moving said support means between said engaging and said lifted positions thereof whereby to lift the container, for holding said support means and the container in said position, and for tilting the container into a dumping position thereof with said support means being in said lifted position whereby to discharge the contents of the container, said single means further being connectable to the container at two distinct locations, one of said distinct locations being used for said holding and the other being used for said dumping, and said single means further being connectable to said support means for said lifting.
 2. A trailer as defined in claim 1, wherein said support means comprises two mutually spaced supports mounted on said axle between said wheel means.
 3. A trailer as defined in claim 2, wherein each of the supports comprises a plunger telescopically supported in a plunger casing, and biasing means resiliently urging said plunger into its telescopically extended position.
 4. A trailer as defined in claim 3, wherein said biasing means is a spring.
 5. A trailer as defined in claim 2, wherein each of said supports is provided with a bifurcated end portion operative for engaging the container.
 6. A trailer as defined in claim 1, wherein said single means comprises a winch attached to said frame in the region of said hitch and a line connected to said winch; and wherein said line is selectively attachable to said support means for moving the same between said engaging and said lifted position thereof, to a container which is engaged by said support means at a surface of the container whIch faces toward said winch for holding said support means in its lifted position, and to such container at another surface which faces away from said winch for tilting the container and discharging the contents of the same. 12
 7. A trailer as defined in claim 1, wherein said support means comprises two mutually spaced supports mounted on said axle between said wheel means, each of said supports comprising a plunger, a plunger casing, a spring acting on said plunger and said plunger casing so as to urge said plunger into its telescopically extended position, and a bifurcated end portion on said plunger operative for engaging the container; and wherein said single means comprises a winch attached to said frame in the region of said hitch and a line connected to said winch, said line being selectively attachable to said support means for moving the same between said engaging and said lifted position thereof, to the container which is engaged by said support means at a surface of the container which faces toward said winch for holding said support means in its lifted position, and to such container at another surface which faces away from said winch for tilting the container and discharging the contents of the same.
 8. In a transporting system, a combination comprising the trailer as defined in claim 1, and a container having a bottom, a front wall, a rear wall, two lateral walls and a cover, wherein said container is provided on its lateral walls with mutually aligned projecting portions and wherein said support means engage said projecting portions so as to permit the latter to tilt about their common axis whereby the container is permitted to tilt with respect to said support means.
 9. A combination as defined in claim 8, wherein said lateral walls are each provided with one opening, said openings having a common axis; and further comprising a bar accommodated in said openings and having said projecting portions.
 10. A combination as defined in claim 8, wherein said front wall and said rear wall are each provided with a connecting eye, and wherein said single means comprises a winch attached to said frame in the region of said hitch and a line connected to said winch and provided with a hook at its free end, said hook being selectively attachable to one of said eyes.
 11. A combination as defined in claim 8, wherein said cover comprises a portion adjacent said rear wall and hingedly connected to said lateral walls substantially midway and in the upper region thereof; and wherein said portion of the cover is adapted to disengage from said rear wall and said lateral walls when the container is tilted so as to discharge the contents thereof.
 12. A combination as defined in claim 8, wherein the bottom of the container is provided with perforations connecting the interior of the container with the exterior. 